What is electroforming? This is an electrochemical process in which usually copper, but sometimes also nickel, is applied to a non-conductive object or material, such as wood or other organic material, glass, wax, 3D printing or plastic that has been treated with a conductive paint or coating.
In this process, a piece of copper (the anode) and the object (the cathode) are immersed in an electroforming tank with electroforming liquid (electrolyte). By connecting electricity to the copper anode (+) and the object (-), the copper ions in the liquid will adhere to the surface of the object.
With this you can create the most special objects and provide them with a shiny layer of copper. You can then finish it in many ways to create the most unique and special creations.
The difference between electroforming and electroplating is that electroforming creates a completely new copper object and electroplating applies a layer of metal, such as zinc, to another metal.
With electroforming, for example, a twig, 3D print or a tree leaf can be provided with a thick layer of copper and then provided with a thin layer of nickel, bronze or gold.
It is also possible to make a mold of, for example, wax to apply a conductive paint to it. After this mold has been provided with a thick layer of copper, the wax can be melted, leaving a pure copper object.
Verzinkshop Electroforming Kits
Verzinkshop offers various electroforming kits and various materials to provide different types of materials and objects with a layer of shiny copper, such as jewelry, 3D prints and baby shoes.
All the kits are basically the same, but have different types of conductive paint or sealers that, in our opinion, are best suited for the materials to be sold. You are always free to experiment with the types of conductive paint. These generally work very well on most materials.
Here is an overview of the kits offered:
- 3D Printing Electroforming Kit Copper
- Suitable for electroforming 3D printed objects and models.
- Jewelry Electroforming Kit Copper
- For electroforming jewelry with a nice layer of copper.
- Organic Material Electroforming Kit Copper
- The application of copper to organic materials with electroforming.
- Model Building Electroforming Kit Copper
- Suitable for model building applications.
- Children’s Shoes Copper Electroforming Kit
- Suitable for selling children’s shoes.
- Electroforming Kit Super Copper
- An extensive kit with different types of conductive paint and an electroforming sealer.
- Caswell Nickel Electroforming
- Suitable for electroforming with nickel.
Read our extensive electroforming manual here.
